As the VCAS ALCOR I wanted to introduce myself in the website and establish some direction for my service in this capacity. I thought for this article I would just start at the beginning and explain what the ALCOR is, what the Astronomical League is, and what the ALCOR does.

The ALCOR (Astronomical League Correspondent) is selected to serve as the official contact person between VCAS and the Astronomical League. As such, the ALCOR is also an officer of the League and is responsible for making sure a good working relationship exists between our organization and the Astronomical League.

The Astronomical League is composed of over two hundred and forty local amateur astronomical societies from all across the United States. These organizations, along with AL Members-at-Large, Patrons, and Supporting members form one of the largest amateur astronomical organizations in the world. The mission of the Astronomical League is to promote the science of and to encourage an interest in astronomy (especially amateur astronomy) throughout America. The easiest way to become part of the AL is to join one of their member societies, such as the Ventura County Astronomical Society. A benefit of membership in VCAS is membership in the Astronomical League. One major benefit of belonging to VCAS and the AL is receiving the quarterly newsletter, The Reflector, which keeps you in touch with amateur activities all over the country. The chance to meet the people you read about there occurs during the annual National Convention, or at one of the ten regional conventions that the AL sponsors. Also, Astronomical League members can order astronomy-related books and products at a discount.

The AL Observing Clubs offer encouragement and certificates of accomplishment for demonstrating observing skills at various levels with a variety of instruments and objects. These programs include the Messier Club, Binocular Messier Club, Lunar Club, Double Star Club, Urban Observers' Club, and Constellation Hunter, as well as many others.

What the ALCOR does, as the conduit between VCAS and the Astronomical League is:

  Provide the club with information about League activities such as observing awards, regional conventions, national conventions, and other League information that he or she receives.

  Along with our president, the ALCOR serves as this organization's representative on the Regional Council.

  The ALCOR updates the League on the names and addresses of the current membership and officers. This is for AL records and so members can receive their Reflector newsletters. If you do not get your Reflector, the first person you should contact is your ALCOR.

  The ALCOR also gathers the opinions of the local membership and transmits them to the League officers. The direction the League takes is very often based on the opinions of its membership.

  Finally, and I think most important, is that the ALCOR can help promote the goals we all share in exploring the skies through involvement in the various certificated observing clubs offered by the League. There is an observing program offered for everyone at every level. These clubs help give some framework to our exploration of the skies by motivating us to use our telescopes and increase our knowledge, possibly in more expanded and rewarding ways than we have before. I know that joining the Double Star Club got me to start observing more often and I also had to research and figure out a lot of new things, like which way is North or West, what does a separation of 10 arcsec look like, and how do I estimate the angle between 2 stars?

As ALCOR, I am planning on spending much of my time promoting these observing clubs because I see them as the best conduit for furthering the purposes we're all here for. So in the coming months, as well as submitting some Celestial Horizons articles, I will focus on one specific observing program at a time, probably every other month, with a handout and information for those who might be interested. It's one more way for us all to have some fun and learn and share together and help each other with our own "explorations". Lets see if anyone can earn as many certificates as Mike Lanska!

Important ALCOR Information

Astronomical League Comet Club   NEW